BY MATT MUNOZFor The Californian

It may be a coincidencethat Grammy Award-win-ning Latin artist Juanes hastwice chosen to kick off amajor tour in Bakersfield —but maybe not.It was in nearby McFar-

land that the Colombiansuperstar filmed the videofor his single “Juntos”(Together), the theme songfor Disney’s “McFarland,USA,” the feel-good sportsfilm released earlier thisyear. Juanes received arock-star welcome at thetown’s Christmas paradelate last year and met JimWhite, who coached theMcFarland High cross-country team to a string ofchampionships beginningin the late 1980s.“For me it was an inspi-

ration, on a different level,”said Juanes during a phoneinterview Monday. Thesinger was backstage at ataping of “Jimmy KimmelLive” in Los Angeles.“I came to this country

looking for opportunity,

trying to make my dreamscome true, and I saw thatreflected in this movie.”The film, starring Kevin

Costner as White, touchedthe Colombian-born artist,42, whose full-name is JuanEsteban AristizábalVásquez. “It’s also inspirational for

any kid watching andshows what can happenwhen you work as a team.You really can make any-thing possible in this life.”In the video for “Juntos,”

Juanes is seen running withactors from the filmthrough valley orchards.“I’ve been running every

day of my life, especiallywhen I was teenager. I loveit so much so, that I had to

have surgery in my rightknee. It’s healed now.”Another interesting con-

nection Juanes has to theCentral Valley and Bakers-field comes through hisBasque heritage. “My last name, Aris-

tizábal Vásquez, comesfrom el vasco (Basque). Thefamily line came to Colom-

bia from Spain over 300years ago. So, Basque ispart of my ADN (DNA). “I had no idea Bakers-

field had such a history. I’llhave to look into it. That’sincredible.”

Ximena SarinanaOpening for Juanes

tonight at Rabobank The-ater is Mexican singer/songwriter and actressXimena Sarinana.“I’m really happy that

I’m part of this tour,” saidSarinana, 29, during arecent phone interview. “I’ve followed Juanes’

music since I was a girl.He’s been really big for along time in America andLatin America. I’ve methim before and he’s a

super cool guy and thatmakes a difference whenyou’re opening.”Growing up in front of

the camera as a child actorin Mexico, the multi-tal-ented Sarinana hasbecome one of her coun-try’s most acclaimed tal-ents, both on screen andoff. Her recording debut,

“Mediocre,” was releasedin 2008. She shifted gearswith her English-languagefollow-up, whose radiosingle and music video“Different” helped hercross-over strategy. Herlatest release, “No TodoLos Puedes Dar,” is areturn to Spanish; a stand-out track is her cover of PatBenatar’s “We Belong”

(“Juntos por Siempre”).“I was involved through

whole production process:songwriting, songs I wasgoing to record, musiciansI would record with, studiolocation, mixing and mas-tering. It was a great feel-ing and something I need-ed. Every artist has thissort of need to do that atsome point in their career,and I was really happy forthe result. I had a lot ofsupport.”Sarinana performs a

bilingual program, ensur-ing no fan feels left out. “I will always mix both

languages in my show.That’s one thing I neverwant to lose. I speak twodifferent languages andthat’s exactly who I am.”

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Juanes can’t get enough of KernJuanes and Ximena SarinanaWhen: 7:30 p.m. today Where: Rabobank The-ater, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

Tickets: $28.50-$74,plus fee; 852-7300

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

Juanes, left, shakes hands with retired McFarland HighSchool cross-country coach Jim White at the McFar-land Christmas Parade in December.

COURTESY XIMENA SARINANA

Acclaimed Mexican singer-songwriter Ximena Sarinanawill be the opening act for Juanes.